Sumrall resigns, applicants sought for Fallbrook school board

FALLBROOK  For the second time this year, the Fallbrook Union High School District is seeking a new trustee following the resignation of a board member.

Trustee Cliff Sumrall is resigning from the board effective Oct. 22 because he plans to move outside the district boundary.

The board has decided to save money in seating a new member by appointing a trustee rather than holding a special election. Although Sumrall’s term runs to 2016, his replacement will serve only until November 2014, the next regularly scheduled election.

Candidates seeking the appointment must be 18 years or older, citizens of California and residents and registered voters in the Fallbrook Union High School District.

People interested in the position can pick up an application at the district office, 2234 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook, request one by e-mail by writing to dmitchell@fuhsd.net or download one at the district’s website, www.fuhsd.net.

The board is expected to interview applicants and fill the vacancy at its Nov. 4 special meeting. If the appointee lives within the Bonsall Union School District, the new trustee will not be eligible to serve on the board after July 1, 2014, when the elementary district becomes a unified district.

This will be the second appointment made to the board this year.

Trustees appointed James O’Donnell to the board in July. O’Donnell, who had served as the Camp Pendleton liaison to the board, replaced Trustee Bill O’Connor, who resigned because he lives in an area that will fall within the Bonsall Unified School District next year.

O’Donnell said he was resigning early to allow his replacement to serve for more than a year before the term expires in December 2014.

Residents within the Bonsall Union School District voted to expand from an elementary to a unified school district last November.